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FWIW: I googled '77 to '80 Low Riders and it looks like '79 they went to 9 spoke front and rear. That is how my '81 FXS is and the 16" rear wheel is marked AMF.
The 1975 Accessory Catalog lists the first offering of the cast wheel. What is states in the catalog.
CAST WHEEL (Available July 1)
No more spoke tightening or out of round wheels with this beautiful cast wheel available for Harley Davidson. New cast wheel in either bright aluminum or black anodized finish will fit rear of FX, FXE models and front and rear of FLH models.The picture is a 16-spoke rim. No mention of anything for the 19" front wheel on FX/E models. There are no pics in the catalog of the mag mounted to an FX orFLH model. There is no part number or price listed for it.
The 1976 Accessory Catalog list the cast wheel as follows
WHEEL - ALUMINUM ALLOY CAST
This hight strength aluminum alloy cast wheel adds fantastic appearance improvement to motorcycles. Polished highlight and impressive spoking makes it a standout. Fits front and rear FLH and rear FX,FXE
43485-75..........$149.95
Again, no pics of it mounted on a bike and nothing offered for the 19" front. The rim is 16 spokes. And we now have a part number and a price.
The 1977 Accessory Catalog is the first time the cast wheel is shown available for both a 16" and 19" wheel rim.
WHEEL - ALUMINUM ALLOY CAST
43485-75 Fits front and rear FL and FLHS models. $149.95
The wheel appears to have a natural finish to it. There is also a pic of a Chestnut Brown FLH model with the alloy rims mounted front and back. It is a 16-spoke rim
On the next page is the FX Accessory Department.
It again lists the above information for the 16" wheel rim as available for the rear of FX models. However what commands the page is the all new FXS series (my favorite of all the FX series bike models). It sports a black anodized 16" 16-spoke rear and a 19" 7-spoke black anodized from wheel rim. There is no part number and no price shown for the 19" wheel rim.
The 1978 Accessory Catalog features a Sportster and a "too cool for school" couple on the main cover (#99475-78V)
It is a 9-spoke from ally wheel. Can't see the rear because the couple are blocking its view.
But this is the year MoCo seemingly went all out on the alloy wheel.
CAST WHEEL '73 AND LATER (referencing FLH models) 42483-77 Fits Front and Rear. Black (16 Spoke)...$165
43485-75 Fits Front and Rear. Polished (16-Spoke)...$149.95
41041-77 Fits Front and Rear. Black (7-Spoke)...$165
44461-78 Fits Front and Rear. Gold (16-spoke)...$165
CAST WHEELS (referencing FX models and Sportster) 43499-77 19" Front Black (7-Spoke) '77 and Earlier...149.95
43499-77 19" Front. Black (7-Spoke). '78...149.95
43499-78 19" Front. Black (9-Spoke). '78...$149.95
43523-78 19" Front.Gold (9-Spoke). '78...$149.95
41035-77 16" Rear. Black (7-Spoke). '78 and Earlier...$165
40999-78 18" Rear. Black (9-Spoke). '78 and Earlier...$149.95
40974-78 18" Rear. Gold (9-Spoke). '78 and Earlier...$149.95
So let the games begin... Basically one was limited on the FLH models but the FX series provided several options for someone who wished to 'customize' their bike, (if the FX of your choice did not come that way) and you had some extra money to spend.
I did just that with my 78-1/2 FXE. Because it was considered the bargain basement entry into the larger platform bike (tho not quite the bottom because HD still sold 1,774 FX models that year), it was lacking several things that were standard on the FXE Super Glide and FXS Low Rider. When I bought the bike it had laced wheels; when I sold it I had changed to alloy rims (16-spoke) back and a 9-spoke front.
Last edited by panz4ever; Feb 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM.
Hi panz4ever,
That's a nice overview of the early cast wheels from the 1970s that you've compiled there, very good!
Unfortunately, the original condition of the items offered is often still recognizable, as in the attached eBay photo...
Mike
Last edited by Mike1956G; Feb 5, 2026 at 04:29 PM.
on my 82FLH the valve stems are on the left up front and on the right on the rear, just a guess.... maybe they were all cast with both valve stem holes and blanked as to which wheel went where ???
on my 82FLH the valve stems are on the left up front and on the right on the rear, just a guess.... maybe they were all cast with both valve stem holes and blanked as to which wheel went where ???
The wheels are identical / interchangeable , just flipped.
Valve stem is on the brake rotor side on both
Left on front
Right on rear
Larger threaded holes opposite the disc side hold the sprocket in the rear and are covered by the "hub cap" in the front
Last edited by eighteight; Feb 6, 2026 at 04:02 AM.
Hi panz4ever,
That's a nice overview of the early cast wheels from the 1970s that you've compiled there, very good!
Unfortunately, the original condition of the items offered is often still recognizable, as in the attached eBay photo...
Mike
be aware if purchasing
that wheel was also used on rear of enclosed chain models, and those are different from the others
ie, not interchandeable
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